Australia: the only democratic country to restrict Falun Gong peaceful appeals
SYDNEY (FDI) – 16 March 2005 marks the third year that Falun Gong practitioners
have been banned from appealing in front of the Chinese Embassy in Canberra. Australia
is the only democratic country to restrict Falun Gong peaceful appeals which have
been held on a daily basis at Chinese Embassies and Consulates throughout the
world since the genocide against Falun Gong in China began in 1999.
Australian
Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, has banned any Falun Gong signage in the
peaceful appeal outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra on the basis that banners,
including "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" and "Stop the Killing",
‘impair the dignity’ of the Chinese mission. Mr Downer has signed certificates
every month to implement the ban under the Vienna Convention.
The timing
of the initial ban coincided with the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Tang
Jiaxuan, who publicly announced that "Falun Gong practitioners [should be
expelled] from the front of the Chinese Embassy entrance in Australia."
"We
do not discourage any form of dialogue or trade between Australia and China. We
simply request the basic rights of freedom of expression consistent with Australian
democratic values." Said John Deller, Falun Gong spokesperson.
Mr Downer
has been advised that legal action against him is in progress.
DFAT bans
Falun Gong from human rights talks
Last Wednesday, 9 March, the Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) withdrew Falun Gong’s invitation to participate
in the closed-door human rights meeting between Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)
and DFAT, due to an anti-torture exhibition held outside the department’s office
in Canberra. The ban on Falun Gong’s participation was condemned by the Public
Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Human
Rights Council of Australia.
"We call on the Government to confirm
that Falun Gong will continue to be invited to participate in the consultative
process and to make the clearest possible statement in support of the right of
freedom of expression." Said Robin Banks, Director of PIAC.
PRESS
CONFERENCE
WHEN: Wednesday 16 March 2005
WHERE: Parliament House, Canberra
Background:
At least 1,423 Falun Gong practitioners have died in police custody as part
of a global campaign by the Chinese Communist state, to eradicate the practice.
Falun Gong advocates Truth, Compassion and Tolerance and involves performing five
simple meditative exercises and has been in Australia since 1994.
